Dawn Tuskey

     Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, and preferring to be in the garage and workshop with her steelworker Grandfather so as to not have to do the dishes, Dawn, always his shadow, was put to work as the “gopher” for the tools and materials he would need while repairing the apartment building or his car.  When the family moved to Westmont and as she became a teenager, her Grandfather and she worked together to repair, update and maintain the family’s suburban home and their cars.  Throughout high school and well into her adult years Dawn also worked professional positions that required extensive client contact, management, and service. 

      In 1989, she and her husband bought their first home which was the beginning of many home purchases that they would make in order to work hand-in-hand to completely gut and remodel while living in each home during all the projects. As a result of their first purchase and rehab, they opened IHM Remodeling Repair Contractors in 2000.

     Dawn is CEO/President and Co-Owner of IHM Remodeling which holds a prestigious service record with the Better Business Bureau of Chicago, been awarded several nominations for customer service, and a nomination to Remodeling Magazine’s Top 50 remodelers in the nation.  Recently, IHM has earned The Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for 2007 and The Business Ledger’s best business practices award.  She is an active member of NARI, NAHB, NKBA, BBB, and a founding member of the Downers Grove Chamber’s Woman to Woman Leads Group which strives to build clients and business for other women business owners in the area.  All in all, Dawn has more than 20 years experience working in residential remodeling, client advocacy, and business management.

Rich Cowgill, CR, GCP

     As one of three sons of a Construction Project Manager growing up in the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago, Rich was destined to become an expert in the industry. Working with his Dad on sub-divisions throughout the southland, the family home and in the garage, Rich has spent his lifetime studying, gaining and applying the knowledge and techniques that make him on of the finest craftsmen in the Chicagoland and suburban areas.

     Although Rich has spent time getting the formal education to be in business, he spent an even greater amount of time perfecting his "hands on" techniques of the various crafts of the construction trades. As a freelance computer programmer during his high school days, Rich started his first professional company called "Computer Talk". After college, he went to work rehabbing various buildings into sought after commercial office space. He purchased his first home by the age of 21 and then followed up with building his first home by the age of 22. In 1990, Rich opened Cowgill Builders Inc. to remodel and build new homes. After 10 years of success as Cowgill Builders, and having a desire for the unique challenges of remodeling, In 1998 Rich opened Vision Design and Build, Inc. Vision Design and Build is a full service design build firm dedicated to custom residential additions, and the kitchen and baths that sometimes accompany these projects. Vision Design and has enjoyed and continues to enjoy many years as a successful and award winning remodeling company that has proven its success through its "word of mouth" reputation for quality, professionalism and design.

     Rich has always been dedicated to promoting professionalism and accountability within the remodeling industry. He's been a member of NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), for more than five years. And has become a NARI Certified Remodeler, "CR". And just received his Green Certified Professional "GCP" designation from NARI. He continues to work endlessly to improve the homeowner and remodeler relationship by serving as this year's First Vice-president of NARI of Greater Chicagoland. Because of his strong belief that Contractors should be educated formally and hands on, Rich is also a member of NARIGC's Education Committee, where for the past three years, he has been one of a handful of teachers for the Certified Remodelers study group. He helps homeowners, by sharing with them, the tools they need to get a successful project by presenting seminars for NARIGC's Public Relations committee entitled, "How to Hire A Reliable Remodeling Contractor, which is offered for free as a public service throughout the Chicagoland area.

Rich and his wife still live in the south suburbs where he originally grew up. Even in Rich's off-time he is never far away from perfecting, developing and learning new hands on craftsmanship. He continues to chip carve for relaxation. A wood carving art which he studied from one of the most accomplished carvers in the world. Rich is also a member of the National Corvette Restorers Society and the Goodguys Car Clubs.